We have a wide variety of unique businesses in the Cedar Valley where you can find great gifts for everyone on your list. Don't be afraid to think outside the box when it comes to gift-giving — unique and thoughtful gifts are the ones they'll remember!
Here are some out of the box gift ideas and where you can find them locally:
The gift of travel |
You can do a gift card for any amount (I can get you one) OR gift a whole vacation! We LOVE to give our kids the gift of going somewhere new (or somewhere they love). This year we are going to Costa Rica (!) in January so our "gift items" (i.e. stuff under the tree) will be pretty slim for kids this holiday. If you want help planning a family trip, just reply to this email! I'd be happy to help. You can even join our Costa Rica group if you want. No passport? No problem! There are TONS of warm weather destinations that don't require a passport (Florida, US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, etc) so don't let that stop you from escaping the Iowa winter.
Need more ideas? Email me or check out the website: https://familytravelonabudget.net/
How to GIFT it (first, reply to this email so I can help you plan/book something!):
1. Scavenger hunt - we did this for a trip to Wisconsin Dells one year! I found "waterpark themed clues" on Pinterest. You could do it for any place/location/trip (use ChatGPT or Google to help with clue ideas). Check out the video on Facebook (note: we are not professional videographers LOL): https://www.facebook.com/MacKidCFWloo/videos/300989174164005
OR
2. Gift clues - I have a friend that was surprising her kids with a cruise and did 3 small gifts with clues in them: swim trunks, flip flops/sunblock, snorkel/water toys. They were all wrapped separately and the kids opened each one at the same time while they tried to figure out the clue.
The gift of their favorite things |
Check out these amazing products from Evermore: including kids' toys, dress-up items, craft kits, and home decor. Jennifer would LOVE to help you find the perfect gift for all of the special littles in your life!
The gift of experience |
Our favorite local family fun place is Cadillac XBC! With a full arcade, laser tag, virtual reality, and family bowling, they have plenty for kids and grown ups of all ages. Pick up a gift card, host your holiday party there, pre-book a birthday bash, or schedule a family fun day in advance - the options are endless!
Experience gifts usually come in a small package (often a pass, gift card or certificate), but might be their favorite holiday gift this season. Plus, your purchase will help our local restaurants and businesses.
Here are some other experience gift ideas in the Cedar Valley:
- Their favorite, locally-owned Cedar Valley restaurant OR a new one that you think they would love to try
- Theater tickets for Waterloo Community Playhouse/Black Hawk Children's Theater - winter productions, Spring shows and annual passes are on sale now!
- Grout Museum District day passes or membership
The gift of self-care |
Many of us are often so busy we forget to take time to care for ourselves. A gift certificate for any type of self-care might be just the push they need to take a few hours for themselves and recharge.
Plus, most of these providers are locally-owned small businesses:
- Massage
- Nails - Manicure/Pedicure
- Hair Salon
- Medical Spa
- Facials
- Body and Skin Treatments
Also, self-care can be their favorite beauty and spa products!
The gift of time |
Sometimes you have people on your list who don't "need" anything — except more time in their day! How can you help them achieve that? Perhaps by gifting them a service that saves them time.
Here are some local ideas:
- Housecleaning
- Yard Work/Snow removal
- Child care/Babysitting
- Auto services (car wash, detail, maintenance services, etc.)
Our small businesses and organizations in the Cedar Valley do great things for our community and there's no better time to support them than now. Small businesses always rely on holiday shopping to help them through!
